Vinetasters: Howell Mountain (Park Ridge, IL): Served double blind. High-toned alcohol and aldehydes on the nose here. Darker fruit, clearly modern in style, with much more oak than necessary. Sticks out in this lineup, especially for its prickly and bitter tannins. My 10th, group's 4th.
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Dark fruit on the nose, plums, dark flowers, tobacco, spice box. Open and expressive, good fruit but rather linear, soft tannins, well integrated acidity. The alcohol sticking out a little towards the finish. 90-92
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Raisin, licorice, dark cherry and still plenty of tannins taking hold on the finish. A subtle nuttiness is present throughout. May be a bit past peak but still extremely flavorful. This bottle has traveled and stood the test of time. Worth the wait to open.
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Final bottle of 10. No decant. This may be the most enjoyable bottle yet. Immediately very aromatic with red currant, vanilla, sweet cassis, bramble, and black cherry. Very energetic acidity to start with coffee and white pepper. In the mid palate this picks up black cherry, sweet cassis, and the pepperiness hangs in the background. The finish really coasts along remaining vibrant and the coffee notes returning.
Much more vibrant than a previous bottle which led me to conclude this was fading. The vibrancy after opening does wane so drink the day it is opened.
Drink or hold.
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First one of these beauties in 18 months and my last bottle of a half-case purchased back in 2010. Fully mature, but definitely not over-the-hill yet. This always had the structure to age, and it has done so very gracefully. Still showing that pretty nose of cherries and vanilla. So soft and supple, offering plenty of ripe, delicious plum, black cherry and dark currant fruit - though of course, it's not as prominent as before. There's still wonderful depth on the mid-palate and a long, satisfying finish that features notes of baking spice, just a touch of oak and a hint of bramble. This is so harmonious, elegant and refined now. A wonderful Napa Merlot that's drinking beautifully near the end of its prime. 50+5+12+16+8=91
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PnP. First bottle in about 14 months. From the first whiff, this offers generous sweet cassis, coffee, herbs, and tobacco in the background. On the palate entry this has good initial lift with acidity that drops quickly. No tannic grip.
On the palate this offers black currant, coffee, mocha, and some roasted nuts. The length has faded from prior bottles. This is a mature wine that is enjoyable, though falling from prior bottles. One bottle remaining in our cellar that will be targeted for consumption at Christmas when we normally consume.
Day 2 - This is losing its vibrancy compared to prior bottles.
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How odd to read the below write up as I also lost this in the cellar and thought it was gone only to find it for my wife's birthday. Nice little powerful wine.
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Lost this bottle in the cellar and re-discovered it the other day. This has held up much better than I expected when I had a bottle 4+ years ago. Really impressed by Beringers' ability to age
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A step slower than my previous bottle. It opened with a fractured cork but tasted really good with a smooth palate, nice nose, and great finish. I would drink them if you have them. One more from a case for me.
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Plenty youthful. Vibrant dark fruits. Secondary character showing up but not some of the autumnal notes I have had with other older vintages. Resolving tannins but enough grip to go five more years.
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Decanted for 90 minutes. Well aged in our cellar for 5 years. Raspberry jam on the nose with hints of milk and dark chocolate. Strong red fruit on the tongue with cinnamon and orange on the finish with hints of stoney earth. Excellent Merlot.
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Not as great as the past two bottles but pretty similar. Just did not have the same pop upon opening as the others did. Still a great drinking high quality Merlot. Just three more which I hope to polish off by years end.
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See previous notes. Just a touch off the high mark the previous bottle was like. Exceptional and it went quickly. Glad I still have a few lingering bottles left. Hope to polish them off by years end.
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Classic nose of plum, black cherry, mocha, and spicy oak. On the palate rich with plum, currant, black cherry, mocha, and vanilla. Long finish with plenty of grip and a little heat. Last of a case of great bottles.
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Very nice Merlot, Decanted for three hours, lovely nose of cherries and vanilla, very smooth wine with lots of fruit and soft tannins. About as good as it gets for Merlot I think.
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Christmas Day dinner at the Palace with Mariruth, Cathy, Vanessa, James and me. My last bottle of the 2005. A nose of dark cherries and chocolate. Well structured. Probably won't improve much, but riding the high plain of deliciously mature wines
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Opened my annual bottle to track development. This wine remains very good and I have been impressed with the remarkable consistency. On opening this pops with a sweet cassis aroma and also possesses light roasted coffee. On the palate the tannins are dusty giving way to currant on the entry with a zippy acidity in the mid palate. The finish offers an espresso, smoke, and chocolate with fine overall length. The longer this was exposed to air the wine became silkier and richer with the currant really persistent.
This has not lost any substance from the prior tasting 12 months ago and this remains quite fresh and enjoyable.
Day 2 - Remained very solid stored overnight in the fridge. 91
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See previous notes. My best bottle yet. This was popped and poured through Vinturi at a local PF Changs for a big celebratory dinner and it was a nice deep purple/red in color. Bottle aged absolutely perfectly and tasted amazing from the fist sip to the last. An amazing bottle with tones of black cherry, blue/black berry, oak, spice, and just a hint of vanilla and cola. The usual exquisite complex Howell Mountain fruit. Highly recommended since this is in a great place in the drinking window. I still have five more in my cellar. Looking forward to my next one.
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Impeccable terroir. Great vintage. Fabulous vintner. This wine was wondrous when I drank it in 2013, and again in 2014. Now, it borders on extraordinary in every way. The robust body and purple color arrest the eye. The complex aromas of spices and dark fruits entices the nose. The captivating palate of ripe plums, full berries, fine leathers and legendary oaks delight the palate. A lengthy finish adds exotic cocoas, refined vanillas, and luxurious glycerin. Utter nobility for a price that is plebeian.
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Still going strong. While the fruit is fading some, as you would expect, the cigar box, caramel and chocolate notes are more pronounced. Also plum, dark cherry, cedar. Gorgeous full bodied texture, smooth tannins, still crisp acidity. Long finish of smooth tannins, chocolate, cigar box. Powerful yet elegant - the classic Merlot.
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This is my last bottle of the case i bought back in 2011 and we drank the other 11 around the holidays that year. I saved this one bottle for three years and opened it Thursday and consumed it over two days. It has totally matured, tannins fully integrated, fruit on the nose, the palate was plums, berries, toffee and chocolate. Smooth as silk with a long lingering finish with perhaps a touch of mint coming through. Just totally enjoyable.
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Very dark red/purple color. PNP, drank 1 glass over 1.5 hours. The nose still has some gas with cherry, blueberry, vanilla, spice and oak. The palate has significantly deteriorated. Still drinkable, but the once ripe red and blue fruit has faded to show the oak, heavy spice, and some heat at this point. There are glimmers of that fruit at times, but not even close to where this was in its prime. OTH. Drink up. 86-87pts.
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Took to the folks for Christmas as they like Merlot. A bit concerned as I poured. There was browning around the edge in the glass. I had opened the bottle at home and replaced the cork partially for the 3 hour trip. It was a nice surprise that the fruit still came through nicely and the long finish was still there. I have one more and I think that I will plan to drink it soon.
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I pulled the last cork exactly one year ago, as I enjoy tracking development annually for this wine. Looking back at my 2012 and 2013 notes, there is great consistency here in this wine.
I would say that many of the flavors are consistent with prior notes. The principal change with this bottle is the acidity has lost a little zip. Still present is the incense, cassis, mocha, and coffee notes. This is very round in the mouth as the tannins and acidity are in very good balance.
Should still cruise for another five years, though this is in a good spot to drink now.
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Clovey oak with heat on the nose. Palate showed some dark fruit, more clovey oak with hint of ash and heat. Finished short-medium length with...more oak and cloves. No obvious flaws. I did not like this wine tonight. But the soon - to - be better half did. Did not pair well with a filet done simply.
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This had dense fruit but was lashed with oak. I expected some oak, but found this a lot less resolved and obtrusive than I anticipated given its bottle age. anyway, just not my thing.
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First one of these since July, 2012 and it has definitely improved. Shows phenomenal balance now. The delicious plum and blackberry fruit has faded slightly, while secondary notes of spice, licorice and mineral have become noticeably more pronounced. The silky smooth tannins have integrated beautifully, lingering gently on the long, polished finish. A wonderful Napa Merlot that is now drinking at its peak. 50+5+12+17+8=92
opened 2 hours before drinking. Nose was low key at first, but opened up with time in the glass giving some plum and spice box notes, medium bodied and decent finish. After being over the top while young I thought it it would have more as it aged. In fairness drank with a flight of pretty intense right bank wines and california merlots.
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The wine sitting in the glass started breaking down after about an hour and a half; tThe wine in the open bottle seemed to be at its best after about 2-2.5 hours depending on your preference. Flavors of mostly bitter cherries on the nose and front palate, followed by oak on the midpalate, mint on the backpalate, and some eucalyptus on the slightly hot finish (@14.8% ABV)). Medium-to-full bodied, with still tight tannins but not enough fruit to justify much more prolonged aging. Pairs very well with New York strip steak topped with an olive-garlic sauce! 89-90+
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Notes consistent with 6/1/14. Finishing off the bottle on night two; held on just fine, but didn't really improve. Have been comparing the 05 and the 06 lately -- the result is that the 05 is far superior, and an outstanding wine on balance, but honestly? Both are godawful boring.
Hate to pull a Miles here, but can't think of any Merlots -- varietal wines of course, not blends -- lately that haven't been somewhat soft, homogenous, and predictable, regardless of quality. Going to drink up what I have and likely forgo additional purchases for a while. As far as mystery and sexiness go, feeling like Merlot is to Syrah/Pinot/etc. like Toronto is to Montreal. Toronto is world-class and all, but...
Will update this note if I ever get a taste of Petrus.
Poured through vinturi and it was a nice deep purple/red in color. Bottle aged perfectly. An amazing bottle with tones of black cherry and the usual exquisite howell mountain fruit. Highly recommended since this is in a great place in the drinking window. Looking forward to my next bottle.
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PnP around 5:00 to make grill lighting that much more ceremonial. Off the pop, huge ripe black cherry fruit bomb. Silky and pure, but nothing much really going on. Finishing second glass now a little before 8:00, and it's a remarkably improved/complete wine. Makes me think that even though it's near/in a peak zone, a decline is at least a few years off.
Now smelling/tasting: cherry pie, kirsch, overripe/mealy summer tomato in vinaigrette, Starbucks caffe mocha, roasted herb, and toasty oak. Absolutely delicious, and continuing to evolve in the glass. Finishes a tad short and hot, and the slightest bit thin around the edges; otherwise would drink close to its SRP.
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A bit vegetal. Herbs and spice nose. Lots of wood and blackberry on palate. Well placed acidity. But it doesn't come together to be more than some ok pieces. Ok for price but not something to return to. This is perhaps unfair as it was tasted after another well known and more expensive Napa merlot that was much preferred.
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Very dark red color with 1mm clear meniscus. PNP with aeration into glasses; drank 2 glasses over 1.5 hours. The nose has nice dark chocolate notes with cassis, blueberry, boysenberry, graphiote, and some oak. The palate is quite silky, cassis, blueberry, deep berry , full body, blueberry liqueur, oak, and a medium finish. Maybe not quite as impressive as the last bottle, but still quite good. I would suggest drinking these sooner rather than later. 90+pts.
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PnP, then put in decanter. Had with grilled flat iron steak. Dark fruit forward wine. Gritty tannins on backend, made the wine pair with the steak pretty well. Very good wine but not spectacular, only a fair QPR at the $26 I paid...
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plush nose with berry and licorice notes, good fruit forward body, and nice finish. drank at the end of a long dinner party and probably did not do it justice in terms of nuance. Wait another few years to open the next bottle.
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This has improved even more compared to my last visit. This is a bit lean on the initial sip but the finish is quite enveloping and extended. This is pretty elegant and delicate, with nice mocha and coffee tones. This is yet another reminder to me of just how much difference am extra year or two can make, to allow a wine to become more composed and settled and to really show what it has. Drink now - this is ready.
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On pop and pour, this wine was one thing; oak. After a few hours of air more is coming out. It goes from OK to good but I was hoping for gooder. Oaky, smokey, and berry nose; coffee, berry, cherry, woody flavors. Not really balanced but I do like the intense and primal flavors.
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PnP w/30 minute glass time. Clear, deep purple, no bricking, med legs. This is great stuff in it's prime drinking window. Med body, super balance/integration acid/fruit, smooth, proper Merlot flavor profile, not over extracted/hot/rough whatsoever. One could drink this all night. Clean, med finish. Nothing off.
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This bottle was very comparable to a bottle tasted almost one year ago. The nose was a bit muted after 45 minutes in the glass, but offered dark cassis, plum, incense, and currant. On the palate, this continues to have very crisp acidity, with sturdy yet balanced tannic structure. There is a good palate evolving array of mocha, roasted coffee, and blackberries that offer a nice lingering finish. There is a smoky vanilla that hangs on the back palate. Given how well this has held up over the past year, I believe this has at least 5-7 years of energy in the glass, and likely will still be enjoyable in ten years if well stored.
After being open for four hours, the nose adds cedar, the length on the palate actually gets longer, and the crispness is quite refreshing.
Far exceeded my expectations. A little thin looking upon pouring with only a moderately appealing nose. Wonderful, intense and concentrated on the palate. Although different in style, right up there with the Shafer merlots. Glad I bought this one and I can see the WS 93. Drink now or hold.
PnP. Either this wine needs a lot of time to open up or this particular bottle was past it's peak. I was pretty surprised considering the recent tasting notes. Oh well.
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Prime of life. Outstanding Beringer Merlot, from lofty heights of Howell Mountain. Gorgeous purple in the glass, with strong legs. Luxuriant aromas of fields, forests, berries, and spices. On the palate, satin pleasures of plums, blackberries, cassis, fine tannins, baking spices, dusky leather, cedar, and even a touch of cracked pepper. Sensuous, smooth, lengthy finish. People who say no to Merlot are missing out on this fantastic experience.
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Great nose of plum, black cherry, mocha, and cedar. On the palate rich and full with plum, black cherry, mocha, and spicy oak. Finishes long with plenty of tannic grip.
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this is simply marvelous redolent with black cherry, black currant and black berry, a hint of talc along with a touch of toasted vanilla; it had a soft, creamy texture to deliver all from the mid palate on, is their a better Merlot coming? YES!
Came across as slightly vegetal at first but pretty quickly evolved into something prettier. Nice concentration and length, definitely shows some pedigree. Nice for the price.
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Dark garnet in color with aromas of eucalyptus, ripe plum, vanilla, anise, and molasses on the nose. In the mouth, creme de cassis, cedar, and had a very long finish.
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Drank without decant. Surprisingly complex for CA merlot, with a crisp acidity that is balanced with firm but supple tannins. The nose of sweet cherry gives way to the same mouthfeel with a hint of cocoa, toasted vanilla, and light roasted coffee in the finish. A very nice effort that should stay fresh and well constituted with the acidity and tannins (5-7 years or longer). Minerality reminds me of a Right Bank, and I think the effort compares favorably to a nice Pomerol or Saint Emilion. Revisit again in 9-12 months.
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A densely structured, muscular presentation of black cherry, cassis, and mocha latte, with sweet tannins. In the commotion of pre-Thanksgiving pie making and card playing, at least one of us thought we were drinking Cabernet Sauvignon. Overpriced, but a good wine to debate over. Worth decanting. Has a lot of life left.
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I favor cabs... but helped drink my last 2 bots over Thanksgiving meal yesterday and was really nice. Great fruit, not a long finish but not thin either. I would restock if I came across another good deal.
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Drank 3 bottles of the last 12 months, each time it got a little bit more ordinary. Mild fruit on the palate with a smoky taste. tannins were mild, alcohol was prominent. They improved somewhat with a short decant, but I saw no real gain on day 2. Overall not a bad wine, but at the $30 price range there is better out there.
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Decanted one hour. Nose of plum, black cherry, mocha, spicy oak. On the palate, nice core of sweet dark fruit with plum, cherry, mocha, cedar, ans spicy oak. Long balanced finish with substantial tannins. Seems to be a bit of variation int these, this one was open for business.
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Can't find my detailed notes on this, but it was similar to my previous bottle, but even better. Elegant and complex. This had a at least an hour decant. Outstanding.
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This is a very well crafted wine and it shows. Has an attractive nose of ripe, sweet berries and vanilla. Full-bodied - but not over extracted - this is loaded with juicy blueberry and dark cherry fruit flavors. The elegant finish is moderately long, with notes of toasty oak and spice lingering nicely. Very smooth, classy and quite complex for a Napa Merlot. Though the QPR here is average (at best), this is still worth a try. 50+5+12+16+8=91
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Roasted coffe (very nice!), soy, berry aromas. Berry compote, cherry, cedar flavors delivered via a very hot body. This is tasty but too sweet for my preferences.
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Nose of cassis, red and black berries, vanilla, cedar. Dark fruity taste, with chocolate, caramel, some spicy wood. First reaction on the palate is very smooth, sweet, well balanced. The finish is more tannic than the initial taste would lead you to expect. Overall a very nice wine, with the fruitiness of Merlot but the tannin of a Cabernet. The wine grows on you with each sip. Even better the second night. Looking forward to the other three bottles - I'd love to stretch them out over a few years to see if it gets even better, but it will be hard to resist.
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Dark, ripe and still youthful. Dark berry, anise and cedar notes on a full bodied frame with time bringing out more oak nuances. Based on other vintages, the best may be yet to come in a few years.
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Much better than a bottle tasted last year. Notes of ripe black fruits, creme brulee and cocoa. Medium-bodied, with a round and pleasing texture, good fruit and concentration, and a long and heady finish.
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Minneapolis Wine Club Does Merlot (Gail's House): Very dark red color. Pop and pour, drank 1+ glass over 3 hours. Nose is very nice with sweet vanilla, ripe cassis, blueberry, earth, some plum and spices. The palate is soft with medium-full body, ripe consistent fruit, nice spice, good acid, and a long finish. This was elegant and very good. 91+ to 92 pts. My #3 WOTN and tied for group's third.
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Popped and poured, definitely needed a decant. Nose, very tight with cedar, plum, black cherry, mocha, spicy oak. On the palate, nice core of sweet dark fruit walled off by oak and substantial tannins. Long balanced finish. At this time, I would hold or drink with a long decant. Great value, very serious stuff. Not as sweet and lush as previous efforts but will probably live to see 20-25 more years of great drinking.
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Can't quite make up my mind at this point abt this wine. I have to say I'm leaning toward disappointment. I had my reservations and now I've confirmed to myself to stay away from BIG WINE producers. The heat is so unbearable that you will have to decant this for hours - which I have done for 4 hrs/day over a 2 day period (total 8hrs). Bottle opened on friday night and i was only able to taste on sunday. Too austere.
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Very Good. Dark purple to the rim. Expressive nose of cedar and vanilla. Tongue-coating lush flavors of dark plums, cocoa and spice that linger. <Wow/Very Good/Good/Fair/Plonk>
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Enjoyable. Absolutely needs a couple hour decant. Tight, austere when opened. Medium body, Fruity but not bomb, slightly sweet. Nice flavors of ripe dark fruits, chocolate, oak. (Doris- just OK. Flavor of chocolate, fruits. Couldn't really get into this wine.)
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A nice mellow merlot - a little tight at first but opened as the lunch progressed - Soft flavors of fruit with a touch of menthol on the palate - a decent finish.
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P n p. Very alive n well right out of the glass. No sed. Nice black fruits with a hint of chocolate. Palate showed black cherries an casis. We both enjoyed it right out of he bottle, showed good balance. Nice fine grained tannins gave some grip at the end. It did soften up as the evening progressed, almst to the point of being a bit flabby. Still an enjoyable wine that well with our country French meal.
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One of the best Merlots I've ever had. Intensely flavored casis, berry, 14.8%. Has mellowed out after 6 years. Singular in flavor but a perfect merlot. Drink now.
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Ripe, dark fruit and mocca on the nose. Nice Merlot characteristics with some vanilla/oak in a medium to full bodied package. Very New World but quite yummy.
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Opened for about 2.5 hours - nice nose of dark fruits, chocolate and carmel on the palate - good finish with some hints of vanilla. The ten of us consumed 7 bottles over the 3.5 hours at the holiday dinner.
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Cocoa, dark fruit, a bit of earth and soy. Modestly fleshy, straightforward fruit, light acidity and moderate tannins. Enjoyable but not particularly complex or deep; oak is not over done. Smokey, light finish.
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PnVnD let air for 2.5hrs. Big oaky plum and cassis aroma. Medium(+) weight ripe polished espresso tannins. Big ripe plum and cassis flavors with dark chocolate and espresso notes. Way too oaky initially but settled down nicely over several hours during dinner. At first I was very disappointed as i have always wanted to try this wine and the oak was too much. Half the bottle is in the vacuum decanter to try again tomorrow - will be interested to see how it is. No score for now.
Day 2 - Charcoal and cassis nose. Plummy cassis flavors. Weak mid-palate. Smoky plum finish. Not a lot of body or richness. Too much wood. Not a great value even at $35-$40.
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Sourced directly from the winery; popped and poured. Purple ruby core with a hint of garnet. Aromas of chocolate, black fruits and a hint of vanilla. Medium bodied, a bit austere and lacking in terms of grip and texture. Foursquare
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Too much oak for me. Regardless, this is clearly an exceptionally well-made wine. Lots of fruit, a great nose and a super long finish that feels like it slowly crawls towards the back of your mouth. Please decant, as it was noticeably better a day after opening the bottle. Tough to recommend as it was $70 CAD. If you like lots of oak, this is your thing.
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Hickory, rounding berry, leather, sweet spice and Worcestershire sauce nose. On the palate fruit is rounding off, but the tannins are still firm. 3.5/5
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Decanted for about one hour.Initially fullbodied with vibrant dark ripe sweet fruit and dominating chocolaty aromas.Quite delicious.With more airtime it seemed to turn more jammy.Overall a well made and balanced wine,but I do prefer more the old world european style.Would be interesting though to try this after 10 years more in the cellar.
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Intense "sweet" fruit, berries and chocolate aromas. High extraction, still quite fresh. Well rounded tannins and a long aftertaste. A well made coca-cola-wine!
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Another wine from the Capital Grill's Master Wine Tasting Event. This wine showed well with a great nose of spice, blackfruit and chocolate. With nice mouth feel the wine was a pleasant blend of black currants, plum and cedar notes. The finish came up a bit short with overly soft tannins but still a very good wine.
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Trip to Napa/Sonoma; 11/7/2009-11/14/2009 (Napa/Sonoma): Aromatic, spicy cedar nose with a little plum. Fine tannic structured palate, but very ripe dark fruit profile. Spicebox, stone and cedar on the finish. Impressive merlot.
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7/5/2023 - Bowmanifesto wrote: 93 Points
My last bottle of this beauty. Still needs an hour of air before opening up like a magnificent bouquet of autumn flowers.
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11/6/2022 - acyso wrote: 85 Points
Vinetasters: Howell Mountain (Park Ridge, IL): Served double blind. High-toned alcohol and aldehydes on the nose here. Darker fruit, clearly modern in style, with much more oak than necessary. Sticks out in this lineup, especially for its prickly and bitter tannins. My 10th, group's 4th.
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10/23/2020 - Bowmanifesto wrote: 92 Points
Though no longer quite at the heights of 2016 tasting, this 2020 opening is mature and magnificent.
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3/18/2019 - rossi.wine wrote: 91 Points
Dark fruit on the nose, plums, dark flowers, tobacco, spice box. Open and expressive, good fruit but rather linear, soft tannins, well integrated acidity. The alcohol sticking out a little towards the finish. 90-92
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12/31/2018 - Dionysusx Likes this wine: 92 Points
Raisin, licorice, dark cherry and still plenty of tannins taking hold on the finish. A subtle nuttiness is present throughout. May be a bit past peak but still extremely flavorful. This bottle has traveled and stood the test of time. Worth the wait to open.
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3/25/2018 - 1markymark Likes this wine: 91 Points
Surprisingly tasty. Not generally a Merlot fan, but this was good enough to make me question that stance
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12/30/2017 - COWineLover wrote: 92 Points
Final bottle of 10. No decant. This may be the most enjoyable bottle yet. Immediately very aromatic with red currant, vanilla, sweet cassis, bramble, and black cherry. Very energetic acidity to start with coffee and white pepper. In the mid palate this picks up black cherry, sweet cassis, and the pepperiness hangs in the background. The finish really coasts along remaining vibrant and the coffee notes returning.
Much more vibrant than a previous bottle which led me to conclude this was fading. The vibrancy after opening does wane so drink the day it is opened.
Drink or hold.
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11/7/2017 - Bam_Man wrote: 91 Points
First one of these beauties in 18 months and my last bottle of a half-case purchased back in 2010. Fully mature, but definitely not over-the-hill yet. This always had the structure to age, and it has done so very gracefully. Still showing that pretty nose of cherries and vanilla. So soft and supple, offering plenty of ripe, delicious plum, black cherry and dark currant fruit - though of course, it's not as prominent as before. There's still wonderful depth on the mid-palate and a long, satisfying finish that features notes of baking spice, just a touch of oak and a hint of bramble. This is so harmonious, elegant and refined now. A wonderful Napa Merlot that's drinking beautifully near the end of its prime.
50+5+12+16+8=91
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3/28/2017 - rossi.wine wrote: flawed
Corked
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3/26/2017 - COWineLover wrote: 89 Points
PnP. First bottle in about 14 months. From the first whiff, this offers generous sweet cassis, coffee, herbs, and tobacco in the background. On the palate entry this has good initial lift with acidity that drops quickly. No tannic grip.
On the palate this offers black currant, coffee, mocha, and some roasted nuts. The length has faded from prior bottles. This is a mature wine that is enjoyable, though falling from prior bottles. One bottle remaining in our cellar that will be targeted for consumption at Christmas when we normally consume.
Day 2 - This is losing its vibrancy compared to prior bottles.
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3/21/2017 - SCosgrove wrote: 91 Points
How odd to read the below write up as I also lost this in the cellar and thought it was gone only to find it for my wife's birthday. Nice little powerful wine.
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2/10/2017 - BrunelloBob wrote: 90 Points
Lost this bottle in the cellar and re-discovered it the other day. This has held up much better than I expected when I had a bottle 4+ years ago. Really impressed by Beringers' ability to age
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1/16/2017 - travelme Likes this wine: 91 Points
A step slower than my previous bottle. It opened with a fractured cork but tasted really good with a smooth palate, nice nose, and great finish. I would drink them if you have them. One more from a case for me.
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9/28/2016 - gmbdds wrote: 91 Points
Plenty youthful. Vibrant dark fruits. Secondary character showing up but not some of the autumnal notes I have had with other older vintages. Resolving tannins but enough grip to go five more years.
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9/28/2016 - Bowmanifesto wrote: 94 Points
You keep on rockin' me, baby! Though this wine is no baby anymore, now in the full flower of its maturity. Magnificent Merlot.
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9/9/2016 - fluxcap Likes this wine: 90 Points
Decanted for 90 minutes. Well aged in our cellar for 5 years. Raspberry jam on the nose with hints of milk and dark chocolate. Strong red fruit on the tongue with cinnamon and orange on the finish with hints of stoney earth. Excellent Merlot.
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4/2/2016 - travelme wrote: 92 Points
Not as great as the past two bottles but pretty similar. Just did not have the same pop upon opening as the others did. Still a great drinking high quality Merlot. Just three more which I hope to polish off by years end.
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3/18/2016 - vinodolphin wrote: 90 Points
I have taken a couple of these to my Mom and Dad. They as have I enjoyed them.
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3/15/2016 - travelme wrote: 93 Points
See previous notes. Just a touch off the high mark the previous bottle was like. Exceptional and it went quickly. Glad I still have a few lingering bottles left. Hope to polish them off by years end.
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1/31/2016 - GalvezGuy Likes this wine: 91 Points
Classic nose of plum, black cherry, mocha, and spicy oak. On the palate rich with plum, currant, black cherry, mocha, and vanilla. Long finish with plenty of grip and a little heat. Last of a case of great bottles.
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1/15/2016 - GaryHOhio wrote: 93 Points
Very nice Merlot, Decanted for three hours, lovely nose of cherries and vanilla, very smooth wine with lots of fruit and soft tannins.
About as good as it gets for Merlot I think.
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12/25/2015 - mouton45 wrote: 91 Points
Christmas Day dinner at the Palace with Mariruth, Cathy, Vanessa, James and me. My last bottle of the 2005. A nose of dark cherries and chocolate. Well structured. Probably won't improve much, but riding the high plain of deliciously mature wines
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12/21/2015 - COWineLover wrote: 92 Points
Opened my annual bottle to track development. This wine remains very good and I have been impressed with the remarkable consistency. On opening this pops with a sweet cassis aroma and also possesses light roasted coffee. On the palate the tannins are dusty giving way to currant on the entry with a zippy acidity in the mid palate. The finish offers an espresso, smoke, and chocolate with fine overall length. The longer this was exposed to air the wine became silkier and richer with the currant really persistent.
This has not lost any substance from the prior tasting 12 months ago and this remains quite fresh and enjoyable.
Day 2 - Remained very solid stored overnight in the fridge. 91
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11/27/2015 - travelme Likes this wine: 94 Points
See previous notes. My best bottle yet. This was popped and poured through Vinturi at a local PF Changs for a big celebratory dinner and it was a nice deep purple/red in color. Bottle aged absolutely perfectly and tasted amazing from the fist sip to the last. An amazing bottle with tones of black cherry, blue/black berry, oak, spice, and just a hint of vanilla and cola. The usual exquisite complex Howell Mountain fruit. Highly recommended since this is in a great place in the drinking window. I still have five more in my cellar. Looking forward to my next one.
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11/21/2015 - SCosgrove wrote: 90 Points
Last of the batch, mellow, full of flavor, nice merlot.
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10/14/2015 - travelme Likes this wine: 92 Points
Another excellent example of a high quality top notch Merlot. Same as previous notes.
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10/2/2015 - johnnyo wrote: 92 Points
Amazing QPR
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10/1/2015 - TJK wrote: 92 Points
Love this wine. Wish i had more. Good fruit, soft tannins, wonderful texture. More complete than many merlots.
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9/27/2015 - SCosgrove wrote: 92 Points
Top notch Merlot
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7/30/2015 - Bowmanifesto wrote: 95 Points
Impeccable terroir. Great vintage. Fabulous vintner. This wine was wondrous when I drank it in 2013, and again in 2014. Now, it borders on extraordinary in every way. The robust body and purple color arrest the eye. The complex aromas of spices and dark fruits entices the nose. The captivating palate of ripe plums, full berries, fine leathers and legendary oaks delight the palate. A lengthy finish adds exotic cocoas, refined vanillas, and luxurious glycerin. Utter nobility for a price that is plebeian.
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7/16/2015 - budh wrote:
Still going strong. While the fruit is fading some, as you would expect, the cigar box, caramel and chocolate notes are more pronounced. Also plum, dark cherry, cedar. Gorgeous full bodied texture, smooth tannins, still crisp acidity. Long finish of smooth tannins, chocolate, cigar box. Powerful yet elegant - the classic Merlot.
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5/16/2015 - bonedoc wrote:
Past its prime, fruit fading.
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4/17/2015 - jwolfe wrote:
Drank for 17th anniversary
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3/1/2015 - SCosgrove wrote: 89 Points
Pretty light, too sweet, wish it still had some finish.
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1/16/2015 - markcic Likes this wine: 91 Points
This is my last bottle of the case i bought back in 2011 and we drank the other 11 around the holidays that year. I saved this one bottle for three years and opened it Thursday and consumed it over two days. It has totally matured, tannins fully integrated, fruit on the nose, the palate was plums, berries, toffee and chocolate. Smooth as silk with a long lingering finish with perhaps a touch of mint coming through. Just totally enjoyable.
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1/11/2015 - rocknroller wrote:
Very dark red/purple color. PNP, drank 1 glass over 1.5 hours. The nose still has some gas with cherry, blueberry, vanilla, spice and oak. The palate has significantly deteriorated. Still drinkable, but the once ripe red and blue fruit has faded to show the oak, heavy spice, and some heat at this point. There are glimmers of that fruit at times, but not even close to where this was in its prime. OTH. Drink up. 86-87pts.
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12/25/2014 - vinodolphin Likes this wine: 90 Points
Took to the folks for Christmas as they like Merlot. A bit concerned as I poured. There was browning around the edge in the glass. I had opened the bottle at home and replaced the cork partially for the 3 hour trip. It was a nice surprise that the fruit still came through nicely and the long finish was still there. I have one more and I think that I will plan to drink it soon.
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12/14/2014 - COWineLover wrote: 91 Points
I pulled the last cork exactly one year ago, as I enjoy tracking development annually for this wine. Looking back at my 2012 and 2013 notes, there is great consistency here in this wine.
I would say that many of the flavors are consistent with prior notes. The principal change with this bottle is the acidity has lost a little zip. Still present is the incense, cassis, mocha, and coffee notes. This is very round in the mouth as the tannins and acidity are in very good balance.
Should still cruise for another five years, though this is in a good spot to drink now.
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10/31/2014 - johnnyo wrote: 91 Points
Drinking very nice right now. Loads of red cherry, plum and vanilla. Great mouthfeel and finish. Easy quaffer
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10/19/2014 - arthrovine wrote: 88 Points
This bottle seemed disjointed.
Clovey oak with heat on the nose. Palate showed some dark fruit, more clovey oak with hint of ash and heat. Finished short-medium length with...more oak and cloves. No obvious flaws. I did not like this wine tonight. But the soon - to - be better half did. Did not pair well with a filet done simply.
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10/4/2014 - chcook wrote:
This had dense fruit but was lashed with oak. I expected some oak, but found this a lot less resolved and obtrusive than I anticipated given its bottle age. anyway, just not my thing.
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9/17/2014 - travelme Likes this wine: 92 Points
See previous notes. Another consistent and excellent bottle. Highly recommended
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9/8/2014 - Bam_Man Likes this wine: 92 Points
First one of these since July, 2012 and it has definitely improved. Shows phenomenal balance now. The delicious plum and blackberry fruit has faded slightly, while secondary notes of spice, licorice and mineral have become noticeably more pronounced. The silky smooth tannins have integrated beautifully, lingering gently on the long, polished finish. A wonderful Napa Merlot that is now drinking at its peak.
50+5+12+17+8=92
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9/5/2014 - jaumealaska Likes this wine: 90 Points
opened 2 hours before drinking. Nose was low key at first, but opened up with time in the glass giving some plum and spice box notes, medium bodied and decent finish. After being over the top while young I thought it it would have more as it aged. In fairness drank with a flight of pretty intense right bank wines and california merlots.
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8/5/2014 - joraesque wrote: 89 Points
The wine sitting in the glass started breaking down after about an hour and a half; tThe wine in the open bottle seemed to be at its best after about 2-2.5 hours depending on your preference. Flavors of mostly bitter cherries on the nose and front palate, followed by oak on the midpalate, mint on the backpalate, and some eucalyptus on the slightly hot finish (@14.8% ABV)). Medium-to-full bodied, with still tight tannins but not enough fruit to justify much more prolonged aging. Pairs very well with New York strip steak topped with an olive-garlic sauce! 89-90+
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7/27/2014 - tomherer Likes this wine: 91 Points
Notes consistent with 6/1/14. Finishing off the bottle on night two; held on just fine, but didn't really improve. Have been comparing the 05 and the 06 lately -- the result is that the 05 is far superior, and an outstanding wine on balance, but honestly? Both are godawful boring.
Hate to pull a Miles here, but can't think of any Merlots -- varietal wines of course, not blends -- lately that haven't been somewhat soft, homogenous, and predictable, regardless of quality. Going to drink up what I have and likely forgo additional purchases for a while. As far as mystery and sexiness go, feeling like Merlot is to Syrah/Pinot/etc. like Toronto is to Montreal. Toronto is world-class and all, but...
Will update this note if I ever get a taste of Petrus.
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7/21/2014 - travelme Likes this wine: 93 Points
Poured through vinturi and it was a nice deep purple/red in color. Bottle aged perfectly. An amazing bottle with tones of black cherry and the usual exquisite howell mountain fruit. Highly recommended since this is in a great place in the drinking window. Looking forward to my next bottle.
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6/1/2014 - tomherer Likes this wine: 92 Points
PnP around 5:00 to make grill lighting that much more ceremonial. Off the pop, huge ripe black cherry fruit bomb. Silky and pure, but nothing much really going on. Finishing second glass now a little before 8:00, and it's a remarkably improved/complete wine. Makes me think that even though it's near/in a peak zone, a decline is at least a few years off.
Now smelling/tasting: cherry pie, kirsch, overripe/mealy summer tomato in vinaigrette, Starbucks caffe mocha, roasted herb, and toasty oak. Absolutely delicious, and continuing to evolve in the glass. Finishes a tad short and hot, and the slightest bit thin around the edges; otherwise would drink close to its SRP.
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5/20/2014 - Doblk wrote: 89 Points
A bit vegetal. Herbs and spice nose. Lots of wood and blackberry on palate. Well placed acidity. But it doesn't come together to be more than some ok pieces. Ok for price but not something to return to. This is perhaps unfair as it was tasted after another well known and more expensive Napa merlot that was much preferred.
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4/25/2014 - rocknroller wrote: 90 Points
Very dark red color with 1mm clear meniscus. PNP with aeration into glasses; drank 2 glasses over 1.5 hours. The nose has nice dark chocolate notes with cassis, blueberry, boysenberry, graphiote, and some oak. The palate is quite silky, cassis, blueberry, deep berry , full body, blueberry liqueur, oak, and a medium finish. Maybe not quite as impressive as the last bottle, but still quite good. I would suggest drinking these sooner rather than later. 90+pts.
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4/7/2014 - Bowmanifesto wrote: 93 Points
Magnificent merlot. Silky smooth. Fantastic finish.
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3/15/2014 - Coupe 60 Likes this wine: 89 Points
PnP, then put in decanter. Had with grilled flat iron steak. Dark fruit forward wine. Gritty tannins on backend, made the wine pair with the steak pretty well. Very good wine but not spectacular, only a fair QPR at the $26 I paid...
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3/8/2014 - jaumealaska Likes this wine: 89 Points
plush nose with berry and licorice notes, good fruit forward body, and nice finish. drank at the end of a long dinner party and probably did not do it justice in terms of nuance. Wait another few years to open the next bottle.
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3/7/2014 - John McCabe wrote: 93 Points
This has improved even more compared to my last visit. This is a bit lean on the initial sip but the finish is quite enveloping and extended. This is pretty elegant and delicate, with nice mocha and coffee tones. This is yet another reminder to me of just how much difference am extra year or two can make, to allow a wine to become more composed and settled and to really show what it has. Drink now - this is ready.
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3/1/2014 - Racer117 wrote: 89 Points
Nominally better than on 02/27/14. Still monolithic (oak!) but there was a nice leather note as well. Fruit quite faded but overall balanced.
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2/27/2014 - Racer117 wrote: 88 Points
On pop and pour, this wine was one thing; oak. After a few hours of air more is coming out. It goes from OK to good but I was hoping for gooder. Oaky, smokey, and berry nose; coffee, berry, cherry, woody flavors. Not really balanced but I do like the intense and primal flavors.
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1/20/2014 - Barry Notes Likes this wine: 92 Points
PnP w/30 minute glass time. Clear, deep purple, no bricking, med legs. This is great stuff in it's prime drinking window. Med body, super balance/integration acid/fruit, smooth, proper Merlot flavor profile, not over extracted/hot/rough whatsoever. One could drink this all night. Clean, med finish. Nothing off.
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1/11/2014 - Wamrod wrote: 93 Points
Fabulous merlot. Consistent with TNs by COWinelover below
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12/29/2013 - cmcmullen wrote:
Bruce and Sharon's new kitchen - Dec. 28, 2013
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12/14/2013 - COWineLover wrote: 92 Points
This bottle was very comparable to a bottle tasted almost one year ago. The nose was a bit muted after 45 minutes in the glass, but offered dark cassis, plum, incense, and currant. On the palate, this continues to have very crisp acidity, with sturdy yet balanced tannic structure. There is a good palate evolving array of mocha, roasted coffee, and blackberries that offer a nice lingering finish. There is a smoky vanilla that hangs on the back palate. Given how well this has held up over the past year, I believe this has at least 5-7 years of energy in the glass, and likely will still be enjoyable in ten years if well stored.
After being open for four hours, the nose adds cedar, the length on the palate actually gets longer, and the crispness is quite refreshing.
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12/9/2013 - sastewart wrote: 91 Points
Lots of ripe fruit on opening then dark cherry, plum and black fruits. Good acid with some minerality and structure. Early maturity. 91 points
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9/21/2013 - Joegish Likes this wine: 92 Points
Far exceeded my expectations. A little thin looking upon pouring with only a moderately appealing nose. Wonderful, intense and concentrated on the palate. Although different in style, right up there with the Shafer merlots. Glad I bought this one and I can see the WS 93. Drink now or hold.
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7/13/2013 - pdadams66 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very intense dark red fruit, plums and brambles, very good mouthfeel and length. Drinking well now.
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7/6/2013 - Presidio Wine Bunker wrote: 87 Points
PnP. Either this wine needs a lot of time to open up or this particular bottle was past it's peak. I was pretty surprised considering the recent tasting notes. Oh well.
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5/4/2013 - Bowmanifesto wrote: 93 Points
Prime of life. Outstanding Beringer Merlot, from lofty heights of Howell Mountain. Gorgeous purple in the glass, with strong legs. Luxuriant aromas of fields, forests, berries, and spices. On the palate, satin pleasures of plums, blackberries, cassis, fine tannins, baking spices, dusky leather, cedar, and even a touch of cracked pepper. Sensuous, smooth, lengthy finish. People who say no to Merlot are missing out on this fantastic experience.
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4/19/2013 - pdadams66 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Quite dark and brooding for a merlot. Plummy, smooth, dense. Drinking well now.
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4/13/2013 - GalvezGuy wrote: 91 Points
Great nose of plum, black cherry, mocha, and cedar. On the palate rich and full with plum, black cherry, mocha, and spicy oak. Finishes long with plenty of tannic grip.
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3/8/2013 - Blake Brown Likes this wine: 95 Points
this is simply marvelous redolent with black cherry, black currant and black berry, a hint of talc along with a touch of toasted vanilla; it had a soft, creamy texture to deliver all from the mid palate on, is their a better Merlot coming? YES!
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3/7/2013 - Oakjeff wrote: 92 Points
Lush & rich with no signs of age.
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2/24/2013 - slippytoad wrote: 92 Points
Maybe not as great as previous bottle but it has some pretty stiff competition that night: 09 malescot!
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2/12/2013 - nick.dean wrote: 92 Points
12/2008 RP = 90 window = 2008 - 2018
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2/1/2013 - John McCabe wrote: 92 Points
Came across as slightly vegetal at first but pretty quickly evolved into something prettier. Nice concentration and length, definitely shows some pedigree. Nice for the price.
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1/23/2013 - Foodievines Likes this wine: 90 Points
Dark garnet in color with aromas of eucalyptus, ripe plum, vanilla, anise, and molasses on the nose. In the mouth, creme de cassis, cedar, and had a very long finish.
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1/5/2013 - MH Amateur wrote: 92 Points
Second bottle was every bit as good as the first one if not better.
Good, classic merlot characteristics.
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12/31/2012 - cliffkol wrote: 90 Points
A very good Merlot. (Doris enjoyed)
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12/17/2012 - MH Amateur wrote: 91 Points
Nose:
Taste: well rounded; classic merlot style, a little on the sweet side.
Very good finish
Excellent color - red garnet
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12/17/2012 - COWineLover wrote: 91 Points
Drank without decant. Surprisingly complex for CA merlot, with a crisp acidity that is balanced with firm but supple tannins. The nose of sweet cherry gives way to the same mouthfeel with a hint of cocoa, toasted vanilla, and light roasted coffee in the finish. A very nice effort that should stay fresh and well constituted with the acidity and tannins (5-7 years or longer). Minerality reminds me of a Right Bank, and I think the effort compares favorably to a nice Pomerol or Saint Emilion. Revisit again in 9-12 months.
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11/26/2012 - buffyst Likes this wine: 91 Points
A densely structured, muscular presentation of black cherry, cassis, and mocha latte, with sweet tannins. In the commotion of pre-Thanksgiving pie making and card playing, at least one of us thought we were drinking Cabernet Sauvignon. Overpriced, but a good wine to debate over. Worth decanting. Has a lot of life left.
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11/23/2012 - gf2182 Likes this wine: 91 Points
I favor cabs... but helped drink my last 2 bots over Thanksgiving meal yesterday and was really nice. Great fruit, not a long finish but not thin either. I would restock if I came across another good deal.
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11/17/2012 - GNorton wrote: 89 Points
Drank 3 bottles of the last 12 months, each time it got a little bit more ordinary. Mild fruit on the palate with a smoky taste. tannins were mild, alcohol was prominent. They improved somewhat with a short decant, but I saw no real gain on day 2. Overall not a bad wine, but at the $30 price range there is better out there.
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10/31/2012 - GalvezGuy wrote: 92 Points
Decanted one hour. Nose of plum, black cherry, mocha, spicy oak. On the palate, nice core of sweet dark fruit with plum, cherry, mocha, cedar, ans spicy oak. Long balanced finish with substantial tannins. Seems to be a bit of variation int these, this one was open for business.
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10/28/2012 - arthrovine wrote: flawed
Corked
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10/14/2012 - MilesLP wrote: 91 Points
dark but red cherry fruit flavoured, vanilla, balanced and refined but still with a tannic grip
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10/11/2012 - Danthejuiceman wrote:
Drinking beautifully now. Milk chocolate raisinette nose. Chocolate covered cranberry flavor. Smooth mellow mature tannins. A moderately complicated wine that trashes the competition in the $25 arena.
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10/4/2012 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
Can't find my detailed notes on this, but it was similar to my previous bottle, but even better. Elegant and complex. This had a at least an hour decant. Outstanding.
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9/22/2012 - BrunelloBob wrote: 90 Points
Dark fruit, hint of smoke (or is that the fire-pit?). hint of mineral. Soft, integrated tannin. Persistent.. Drink now/soon.
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9/15/2012 - Wamrod wrote: 91 Points
Well aged and balanced. Good acidity and oaking. Drinking very well.
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9/6/2012 - BigBoy_Sonoma wrote: 92 Points
Dark fruit, cassis, spice tobacco smokey oak. A
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8/3/2012 - Racer117 wrote: 90 Points
Similar to 06/22/12. A bit more oak and balanced than previously. Very nice.
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7/24/2012 - JTA9904 wrote: 91 Points
A very good Merlot. Vanilla, cedar, spices. Nice persistent finish. Pretty substantial but well balanced.
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7/4/2012 - Bam_Man wrote: 91 Points
This is a very well crafted wine and it shows. Has an attractive nose of ripe, sweet berries and vanilla. Full-bodied - but not over extracted - this is loaded with juicy blueberry and dark cherry fruit flavors. The elegant finish is moderately long, with notes of toasty oak and spice lingering nicely. Very smooth, classy and quite complex for a Napa Merlot. Though the QPR here is average (at best), this is still worth a try.
50+5+12+16+8=91
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6/22/2012 - Racer117 wrote: 89 Points
Roasted coffe (very nice!), soy, berry aromas. Berry compote, cherry, cedar flavors delivered via a very hot body. This is tasty but too sweet for my preferences.
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6/17/2012 - BigBoy_Sonoma wrote: 93 Points
Decanted 5 hours
Fruit, candied jam, tobacco, hints I spice, finishes with smokey cedar. Hints of candy on the finish.
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6/17/2012 - slippytoad wrote: 95 Points
A wonderful complex merlot. One of the best I've ever had. So many lush layers and it hangs on the glass
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6/5/2012 - budh Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nose of cassis, red and black berries, vanilla, cedar. Dark fruity taste, with chocolate, caramel, some spicy wood. First reaction on the palate is very smooth, sweet, well balanced. The finish is more tannic than the initial taste would lead you to expect. Overall a very nice wine, with the fruitiness of Merlot but the tannin of a Cabernet. The wine grows on you with each sip. Even better the second night. Looking forward to the other three bottles - I'd love to stretch them out over a few years to see if it gets even better, but it will be hard to resist.
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6/1/2012 - johnnyo wrote: 91 Points
Fantastic QPR. Notes of rich red plum, blackberry and dark chocolate, vanilla and mint. Full bodied and well balanced with a medium length finish.
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5/27/2012 - noni15 wrote: 91 Points
Delicious....very smooth and wonderful to the nose....
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5/12/2012 - gmbdds wrote: 90 Points
Dark, ripe and still youthful. Dark berry, anise and cedar notes on a full bodied frame with time bringing out more oak nuances. Based on other vintages, the best may be yet to come in a few years.
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5/7/2012 - baamkandelaars wrote: 88 Points
Goede structuur, krachtig. Goed op dronk. Lekkere merlot.
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4/16/2012 - noni15 wrote:
8/10 for merlo
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3/16/2012 - arthrovine wrote: 91 Points
Delicious
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3/14/2012 - manny651 wrote: 91 Points
Again, delicious merlot, smoky dark berries with a great aroma, smooth and medium long finish
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2/19/2012 - omnisphere wrote: 90 Points
Molasses, tobacco and chocolate. Buy again.
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2/19/2012 - JediSense wrote: 92 Points
Love having a friend who works for Beringer! Opened a little too soon, but great nonetheless.
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2/11/2012 - manny651 wrote: 91 Points
Excellent merlot, dark berries and vanilla nose, palate was smoky fruits, mocha and very smooth. Nicely done.
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2/8/2012 - tbabes wrote: 91 Points
Much better than a bottle tasted last year. Notes of ripe black fruits, creme brulee and cocoa. Medium-bodied, with a round and pleasing texture, good fruit and concentration, and a long and heady finish.
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2/4/2012 - YoMaMa wrote: 86 Points
I remember this being much better. Solid but unspectacular.
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2/2/2012 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 93 Points
Minneapolis Wine Club California Merlot; 2/1/2012-2/2/2012: Much better than Tanzer and Parker's review. Cherry, blueberries, plum, oak, vanilla and perfume. Long finish and complex overall. Drinking great now.
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1/29/2012 - Ray McNeill wrote: 93 Points
Excellent. Rich full bodied, deep red and black fruits, Slight bit of sweet spice. Nose was bold and huge. Decated for about 4 hours. would recomend
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1/28/2012 - rocknroller wrote: 91 Points
Minneapolis Wine Club Does Merlot (Gail's House): Very dark red color. Pop and pour, drank 1+ glass over 3 hours. Nose is very nice with sweet vanilla, ripe cassis, blueberry, earth, some plum and spices. The palate is soft with medium-full body, ripe consistent fruit, nice spice, good acid, and a long finish. This was elegant and very good. 91+ to 92 pts. My #3 WOTN and tied for group's third.
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1/14/2012 - YoMaMa wrote: 89 Points
A merlot for those who do not like merlot. Very fruity, not over-oaked.
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1/12/2012 - GalvezGuy wrote: 90 Points
Popped and poured, definitely needed a decant. Nose, very tight with cedar, plum, black cherry, mocha, spicy oak. On the palate, nice core of sweet dark fruit walled off by oak and substantial tannins. Long balanced finish. At this time, I would hold or drink with a long decant. Great value, very serious stuff. Not as sweet and lush as previous efforts but will probably live to see 20-25 more years of great drinking.
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1/9/2012 - mattyboy_ wrote: 85 Points
Can't quite make up my mind at this point abt this wine. I have to say I'm leaning toward disappointment. I had my reservations and now I've confirmed to myself to stay away from BIG WINE producers. The heat is so unbearable that you will have to decant this for hours - which I have done for 4 hrs/day over a 2 day period (total 8hrs). Bottle opened on friday night and i was only able to taste on sunday. Too austere.
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1/3/2012 - clio_wine wrote:
Very Good. Dark purple to the rim. Expressive nose of cedar and vanilla. Tongue-coating lush flavors of dark plums, cocoa and spice that linger. <Wow/Very Good/Good/Fair/Plonk>
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12/28/2011 - cliffkol wrote: 88 Points
Enjoyable. Absolutely needs a couple hour decant. Tight, austere when opened. Medium body, Fruity but not bomb, slightly sweet. Nice flavors of ripe dark fruits, chocolate, oak. (Doris- just OK. Flavor of chocolate, fruits. Couldn't really get into this wine.)
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12/27/2011 - markcic wrote: 86 Points
A nice mellow merlot - a little tight at first but opened as the lunch progressed - Soft flavors of fruit with a touch of menthol on the palate - a decent finish.
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12/23/2011 - signotim wrote: 91 Points
dark berry and marzipan nose. pretty blackberry fruit on the palate balanced with acid. med finish.
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12/16/2011 - Whine-oh wrote: 89 Points
P n p. Very alive n well right out of the glass. No sed. Nice black fruits with a hint of chocolate. Palate showed black cherries an casis. We both enjoyed it right out of he bottle, showed good balance. Nice fine grained tannins gave some grip at the end. It did soften up as the evening progressed, almst to the point of being a bit flabby. Still an enjoyable wine that well with our country French meal.
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12/16/2011 - km5 wrote:
It was okay and had potential. Prob would be better with decant to rid the heat.
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12/16/2011 - vinodolphin wrote: 92 Points
Open for 4 hours. A very nice surprise with yummy fruit, a long smooth taste with a good finish. Eveyone loved it including Ruth who avoids Merlot.
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12/14/2011 - therealdrizzle wrote: 95 Points
One of the best Merlots I've ever had. Intensely flavored casis, berry, 14.8%. Has mellowed out after 6 years. Singular in flavor but a perfect merlot. Drink now.
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12/11/2011 - hiroshisugi wrote: 92 Points
Ripe, dark fruit and mocca on the nose. Nice Merlot characteristics with some vanilla/oak in a medium to full bodied package. Very New World but quite yummy.
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12/8/2011 - markcic wrote: 91 Points
Opened for about 2.5 hours - nice nose of dark fruits, chocolate and carmel on the palate - good finish with some hints of vanilla. The ten of us consumed 7 bottles over the 3.5 hours at the holiday dinner.
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12/1/2011 - dekay wrote: 89 Points
Cocoa, dark fruit, a bit of earth and soy. Modestly fleshy, straightforward fruit, light acidity and moderate tannins. Enjoyable but not particularly complex or deep; oak is not over done. Smokey, light finish.
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11/16/2011 - arthrovine wrote: 90 Points
Update: Wow, impressive on day 3! 1/3 bottle left on counter in cellar under cork. Great wine. +1 in score to 91
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11/11/2011 - ldc911 wrote: 92 Points
Very Nice. Can age more
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11/1/2011 - Yack Man wrote: 84 Points
Nothing special to me, but not bad. I'd spend my money on better merlots.
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10/26/2011 - Mallards wrote: 89 Points
Pretty darned good stuff - makes you forget you are drinking a Merlot!
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9/11/2011 - mtkutzman@gmail.com wrote:
- It's balanced with a medium/full body. Linear texture with a long finish - Home with the Grey's and cedar plank salmon. Wine exquisite and perfect.
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6/5/2011 - df1962 wrote: 89 Points
PnVnD let air for 2.5hrs. Big oaky plum and cassis aroma. Medium(+) weight ripe polished espresso tannins. Big ripe plum and cassis flavors with dark chocolate and espresso notes. Way too oaky initially but settled down nicely over several hours during dinner. At first I was very disappointed as i have always wanted to try this wine and the oak was too much. Half the bottle is in the vacuum decanter to try again tomorrow - will be interested to see how it is. No score for now.
Day 2 - Charcoal and cassis nose. Plummy cassis flavors. Weak mid-palate. Smoky plum finish. Not a lot of body or richness. Too much wood. Not a great value even at $35-$40.
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4/18/2011 - tbabes wrote: 89 Points
Sourced directly from the winery; popped and poured. Purple ruby core with a hint of garnet. Aromas of chocolate, black fruits and a hint of vanilla. Medium bodied, a bit austere and lacking in terms of grip and texture. Foursquare
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3/22/2011 - KevinMc wrote: 92 Points
Too much oak for me. Regardless, this is clearly an exceptionally well-made wine. Lots of fruit, a great nose and a super long finish that feels like it slowly crawls towards the back of your mouth. Please decant, as it was noticeably better a day after opening the bottle. Tough to recommend as it was $70 CAD. If you like lots of oak, this is your thing.
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2/22/2011 - Double-A wrote: 88 Points
Hickory, rounding berry, leather, sweet spice and Worcestershire sauce nose. On the palate fruit is rounding off, but the tannins are still firm.
3.5/5
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1/27/2011 - Henman wrote: 88 Points
Decanted for about one hour.Initially fullbodied with vibrant dark ripe sweet fruit and dominating chocolaty aromas.Quite delicious.With more airtime it seemed to turn more jammy.Overall a well made and balanced wine,but I do prefer more the old world european style.Would be interesting though to try this after 10 years more in the cellar.
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1/15/2011 - Viini-Viren wrote: 93 Points
Intense "sweet" fruit, berries and chocolate aromas. High extraction, still quite fresh. Well rounded tannins and a long aftertaste. A well made coca-cola-wine!
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1/1/2011 - wabi47 wrote: 88 Points
black cherry, spice, cassis, cedar; fuller mouth feel than the 2004
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8/4/2010 - nickriso Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drank 7/28. Celebrated get away to napa. Best merlot I've tasted
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7/14/2010 - corsicanbandit wrote: 88 Points
Another wine from the Capital Grill's Master Wine Tasting Event. This wine showed well with a great nose of spice, blackfruit and chocolate. With nice mouth feel the wine was a pleasant blend of black currants, plum and cedar notes. The finish came up a bit short with overly soft tannins but still a very good wine.
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3/22/2010 - will2wine wrote: 91 Points
Big chocolate combines with ripe black cherry, fresh cranberry and tea in a plush, polished package. Built to last a few years. 91+
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2/3/2010 - BigBoy_Sonoma wrote: 93 Points
Excellent Merlot, ripe dark fruit. Complex structure with tannins and fruit. It's definitely an A effort.
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11/11/2009 - Nutty08 wrote: 92 Points
Trip to Napa/Sonoma; 11/7/2009-11/14/2009 (Napa/Sonoma): Aromatic, spicy cedar nose with a little plum. Fine tannic structured palate, but very ripe dark fruit profile. Spicebox, stone and cedar on the finish. Impressive merlot.
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